MANCHESTER UNITED could stoke up the fires in their bitter rivalry with Liverpool by tabling a bid for Raheem Sterling.

The 17-year-old’s contract talks with Liverpool have reached an impasse because of his pay demands.

Brendan Rodgers had previously said that Sterling would be ‘mad’ to leave Liverpool with the opportunity of regular first-team football unlikely to be offered elsewhere.

The Liverpool manager wants Sterling to concentrate on his football rather than have his head turned by other clubs.

And with the unsettled Nani destined for a move in January, Sir Alex Ferguson may see Sterling as an ideal replacement even if it would anger the Anfield faithful.

Sterling has won over many admirers with his direct and fearless style of play this season.

with the unsettled Nani destined for a move in January, Sir Alex Ferguson may see Sterling as an ideal replacement even if it would anger the Anfield faithful

The wonderkid became the club’s second youngest scorer after he hit the target against Reading in the Barclays Premier League in October.

But United would represent a different challenge and there would be no way back if he crossed the divide.

Although there are examples of players representing United and Liverpool, there have been few instances of players moving directly between the two clubs- in fact the last time it happened was over 50 years ago.